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What is the 3-Day Detox Diet?
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
The 3-day detox diet is a type of fad diet that a person follows for just three days. Proponents of this diet assert that it stimulates rapid weight loss and also helps to free the body of toxins, allowing the dieter's liver to recover from their effects. Interestingly, there are a few diet plans that are called the 3-day detox diet. They all have rapid weight loss and toxin removal as their goals, but they are slightly different from each other. No matter which of these diets a person selects, he can usually count on eating very little each day.
One type of 3-day detox diet requires the dieter to eat very light meals each day. For example, a dieter may make his meals out of steamed vegetables or organic fruit. Brown rice is also an acceptable addition to this diet, though the dieter is supposed to eat small amounts of it. An individual on the 3-day detox diet is only supposed to drink water, and nothing else, for the duration of the diet. After being on this diet, a person is supposed to slowly work back up to eating more calories by consuming mostly fruits and vegetables, soups, water, and other light foods.
Another form of 3-day detox diet has dieters consuming very low calorie foods for three days, eating normally for a few days after that, and then going back to following the 3-day detox diet once more. On this diet, a person can consume black tea or coffee, fruits and vegetables, proteins, carbohydrates, and a very small amount of fat, but the calorie intake is scant. For example, a person on this form of the diet may drink black coffee and eat a half of a grapefruit and a slice of toast with peanut butter spread on it for breakfast. For lunch he may consume a small amount of tuna, a slice of toast, and more black coffee. Dinner may consist of a small amount of lean meat, two to four servings of vegetables, and an apple; a small amount of ice cream may be allowed as well.
Opponents of this diet assert that it is unlikely to produce sustainable weight loss. Often, people who follow the 3-day detox diet manage to lose mostly water weight and regain the pounds once they begin to eat normally again. Additionally, failure to eat enough calories on a daily basis can have negative health consequences.
Nicole Madison
Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.
Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.
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![An individual on the 3-day detox diet is permitted to drink water, but no other liquids.]()
By: ElenathewiseAn individual on the 3-day detox diet is permitted to drink water, but no other liquids. -
![Half a grapefruit is a common breakfast item for the 3-day detox diet.]()
By: Africa StudioHalf a grapefruit is a common breakfast item for the 3-day detox diet. -
![Proponents of the 3-day detox diet believe it is beneficial to the liver.]()
By: nerthuzProponents of the 3-day detox diet believe it is beneficial to the liver. -
![Plain coffee may be consumed on the 3-day detox diet.]()
By: amenic181Plain coffee may be consumed on the 3-day detox diet. -
![Green tea has high levels of catechins and other potent antioxidants that can be useful on a detox diet.]()
By: Fisher PhotostudioGreen tea has high levels of catechins and other potent antioxidants that can be useful on a detox diet.
Discussion Comments
@irontoenail - That was a doctor prescribed and presumably, a doctor monitored diet though. What worries me about these trendy detox cleansing diets is that there is no regulation of them.
Anyone can claim that they know the secret and throw it up online or in a book, asking for money. Most of them are just a scam, to be honest, and even the ones that don't ask for money are usually built up of urban legend and rumor.
Three days isn't going to hurt the average person, but people who are already desperate and following diet after diet, or are actually clinically anorexic might hurt themselves though particularly if the diet is of only one food, or just fasting for three days.
Plus there are ones like the juice detox which could play havoc with your blood sugar and make you much more likely to relapse into bad ways after you're done.
A healthy, varied diet and exercise is the only answer to weight loss and general fitness. People need to stop looking for easy answers.
@croydon - I'm not sure about detox cleanse part of these diets either, but they can make your stomach function better.
I had a friend who had real problems with her stomach and her doctor (her real, licensed GP) gave her a diet to follow that was similar to these kinds of diets, except was for a longer period of time. It started out with her only being able to drink clear fluids (although I think she maybe had to have vitamins as well? I'm not sure) and worked its way up to solid foods.
It was supposed to give her stomach a chance to rest and recover. I don't think there was anything about "cleansing" her system, but it did make her feel much better, once she had finished it.
I also think these things can be good psychologically. If you make a big deal about it as a gateway to a new life, with new habits, you might prepare yourself for the real task of living well, and losing weight that way.
Whatever works for you, as long as you are sensible.
I find the debate about these kinds of diets very interesting. For the most part I think they are fads, and can even be dangerous. And I do have to say that I don't believe this diet alone can provide lasting weight loss.
But there are some things which I think it can provide. For example, if you start off fasting (which is an ancient diet technique) you shrink your stomach and if you work yourself up to eating only small meals, it can be easier to accept smaller portions than you are used to.
And portion control is one of the most important habits a person needs to learn for long term weight loss.
I don't believe that you are getting rid of toxins, frankly. I think if you feel better it's because you aren't stuffing yourself with processed food, but you could have that same effect if you went straight onto the non-processed food without the fasting.
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